Applied Cellphone Forensics

• Defining processes of the acquisition, preservation, analysis of evidence

• Presentation of physical and digital cellular phone evidence in the investigation process

• Evidence regulation and its impacts in the investigation process

• Applications: practical forensic cases related to cellular phones

Introduction

Cellular telephones are a ubiquitous consumer device. Over 180 million subscribers are using one of over 500 different cellphones offered in the United States from over 30 different manufacturers, processing voice and data traffic over 4 carrier networks. Invariably, with so much voice and data traffic being sent from one cellphone to another, many of these phones can provide critical evidentiary data to crime scene investigators. Unfortunately, the forensic acquisition and analysis of these phones is a new process in the computer forensics world. Several reasons exist, but the main reasons are the lack of awareness and training of law enforcement agencies. This paper is an effort to change this deficiency.

Processes of the Acquisition, Preservation, Analysis of Evidence

Due to their nature, cell phones are acquired and preserved in the same action. This acquisition and preservation is done with various tools and technologies. The actual process of the virtual acquisition of the phone depends very much upon the manufacturer and model of the phone.

Usually, a visit to one of the phone carriers’ outlet location can provide you with the information detailing the specifics of the phone. However, in a worst case scenario, removing the battery out from its compartment usually will provide you with the manufacturer name and specific model number.

Once the phone is identified, either through known identification or through other aforementioned means, more information can be gleaned about the phones technical specifications and capabilities by visiting the PhoneScoop (www.phonescoop.com) website.

Once identified, the phone is ready for the next step of the virtual acquisition.

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To ensure a good evidence acquisition

Cables

It can be done through various cabling systems and various software applications. Examples of the cabling systems include Paraben’s Cell Seizure Toolkit, Susteen’s Law Enforcement Cabling Kit, or the various specific manufacturers’ data cables.

Specifically, at the time of this writing, Paraben’s Cell Seizure Version 3.0 will acquire many phones from Nokia, LG, Sony-Ericsson, Motorola, Siemens, and Samsung.

Susteen SecureView Version 1 will acquire phones from LG, Motorola, Samsung, Sony-Ericsson, Sanyo, and Nokia. With Secure View, Susteen has included its cables from it’s popular Data Pilot system.